Rosa hybrida shrub named &#39;ausbreeze&#39;

ABSTRACT

A variety of rose plant of the shrub class, named ‘AUSbreeze’ is disclosed. The ‘AUSbreeze’ rose is a plant suitable for repeat flowering production having blooms that are a very pure soft pink formed in a perfect rosette formation, and having a fresh, fruity fragrance with hints of raspberry and tea. In addition, the growth of the ‘AUSbreeze’ variety is vigorous, tall and elegant with flowers produced along the stem.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims priority to a United Kingdom Breeder's Right Certificate Application No. AFP 5/2106 filed Nov. 18, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

CLASSIFICATION

The present invention relates to a new Rosa hybrida shrub.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

The new plant has the varietal denomination ‘AUSbreeze’.

ORIGIN OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant named ‘AUSbreeze’, which was originated by crossing two unnamed, unpatented varieties of Rosa hybrida.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a flowering variety having medium soft pink blooms in a rosette formation with strong arching growth and a fruity fragrance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among the features which distinguish the new variety from other presently available and commercial rose cultivars known to the inventor is the following combination of characteristics: blooms that are a very pure soft pink in a perfect rosette formation having a fresh, fruity fragrance with hints of raspberry and tea. In addition, the growth is vigorous, tall and elegant with flowers produced along the stem.

Asexual reproduction of the new variety by budding as performed in greenhouses at Bowling Green Lane in Albrighton, Britain shows that the foregoing and other distinguishing characteristics come true to form and are established and transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations. ‘AUSbreeze’ may be asexually propagated by budding and grafting. The budding and grafting successfully occurred on the plant/rootstock Rosa cv. ‘Dr. Huey’ in the United States and on the plant/rootstock Rosa dumetorum cv. ‘Laxa’ in the United Kingdom.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The new rose may be distinguished from its seed parent, by the following combination of characteristics: whereas the seed parent has yellow blooms with few petals, ‘AUSbreeze’ produces a pure soft pink bloom. The new variety is classified as a hybrida rose and has a vigorous, elegant arching growth.

The new variety may be distinguished from its pollen parent, by the following combination of characteristics: whereas the pollen parent bears small yellow blooms with few petals, ‘AUSbreeze’ bears larger blooms having many petals with a pure soft pink color.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

The closest commercially available cultivar to the new variety is the ‘AUSgrab’ (unpatented variety). The new rose may be distinguished from the ‘AUSgrab’ variety by the following combination of characteristics: the ‘AUSgrab’ has a shorter growth and a deeper pink color compared to ‘AUSbreeze’, which has a taller growth and a paler pink color. In addition, the ‘AUSgrab’ variety has an Old Rose fragrance, while the ‘AUSbreeze’ has a fruity fragrance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATION

The accompanying photograph illustrates the new variety and shows the flowering thereof from bud to full bloom depicted in color as nearly correct as it is possible to make in a color illustration of the character. Throughout this specification, color references and/or values are based upon the Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society (2001) except where common terms of color definition are employed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW VARIETY

The following description is of 2 year-old rose plants of the new variety grown outdoors in Albrighton, Britain in the month of July. Phenotypic expression may vary with environmental, cultural and climatic conditions, as well as differences in conditions of light and soil.

-   Flower characteristics:     -   -   Blooming habit.—Recurrent. The number of blooms per plant             during the growing season is profuse, but there are too many             to count.         -   Bud.—Size: About 2 cm long and 1.9 cm in diameter when the             petals start to unfurl. Form: The bud form is pointed ovoid.             Color: When sepals first divide, the bud color is Pink Group             49A. When half blown, the upper sides of the petals are Pink             Group 49A with Pink Group 69D at the tips, and the lower             sides of the petals are Yellow-Green Group 150C. Calyx:             Shape: Curls right back over receptacle. Length: 2 cm.             Diameter: 1.8 cm. Sepals: Arrangement: Regular. Color: Upper             Surface: Yellow-Green Group 144B with some Red-Purple Group             58A. Lower Surface: Greyed-Green Group 194B with some             Red-Purple Group 58A. Length: 21 mm. Width: 7 mm. Shape:             Pointed. Margin: Hairy. Surface texture: Upper Surface:             Smooth. Lower Surface: Hairy. Number: There are three             heavily appendaged sepals. There are two unappendaged sepals             with hairy edges. Receptacles: Color: Green Group 141C.             Shape: Funnel. Size: Small, about 1 cm tall×0.8 cm wide.             Surface: Smooth. Peduncle: Length: Medium, averaging about             5.5 cm. Surface: Glandular. Color: Greyed-Red Group 181A.             Strength: Strong.         -   Blooms.—Size: Medium, average open diameter is about 8 cm.             Borne: Several together in clusters of 4-6 blooms having a             flat shape. Stems: Strength: Strong, average length is about             80 cm. Diameter: 3 mm. Form: When first open, bloom is             cupped. Permanence of bloom: retains its form to the end.         -   Petalage.—Number of petals under normal conditions:             about 95. Color: The upper sides of the petals are Pink             Group 49D. The reverse sides of the petals are Pink Group             49D. The base of the petals has a spot of Yellow-Green Group             150D. Discoloration: The general tonality at the end of the             first to third days is Pink Group 49D. Fragrance: Moderate.             Character of fragrance: Fruity.         -   Petals.—Texture: Velvety. Size: Width: 3 cm. Length: 3.9 cm.             Surface: Smooth. Shape: Round (outer petals); Obovate (inner             petals). Margin: Reflexing is weak and undulation is very             weak. Apex Shape: Notched (outer petals); Rounded (all             others). Base Shape: Pointed. Form: Incurved. Arrangement:             Imbricated. Petaloids: Number: 2. Color: Pink Group 49D;             Length: 10 mm. Width: 3 mm Shape: Irregular. Margin:             Irregular. Persistence: Petals drop off cleanly before             drying. Lastingness: On the plant: fair, about 5 days. As a             cut flower: not tested.         -   Reproductive parts.—Stamens: Number: 5. Length: 5 mm.             Anthers: Length: 1.5 mm. Color: Red-Purple Group 60B.             Arrangement: Tucked in calyx or partly so. Filaments: Color:             Yellow Group 160C. Length: 3 mm. Pollen: Color: Greyed-Red             Group 175A. Pistils: Number: 24. Length: 5 mm. Styles:             Color: Yellow-Green Group 154C. Length: 5 mm. Stigmas:             Color: Yellow Group 13B. Length: 10 mm. Hips: None Observed. -   Plant characteristics:     -   -   Plant form.—Shrub.         -   Plant growth.—Vigorous and arching.         -   Age to maturity.—Two years.         -   Mature plant.—Height: 1.5 m. Width: 1.5 m.         -   Rootstock.—Rosa ‘Dr. Huey’ for U.S. and Rosa dumetorum cv.             ‘Laxa’ for observed plants in the U.K.         -   Foliage.—Number: Leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves: 5-7             (including terminal leaflet). Size: Medium, about 13.5 cm             long×9 cm wide. Quantity: Normal. Number of leaves per             flowering stem: 9. Color: New foliage: Upper side: Yellow             Group 143A, overlaid with Greyed-Red Group 181A. Lower side:             Yellow Group 143A overlaid with Green Group 181A. Old             foliage: Upper side: Green Group 136A. Lower side: Green             Group 137B.         -   Leaflets.—Size: About 5.2 cm long×3.6 cm wide. Shape: Oval.             Base Shape: Rounded. Apex Shape: Acuminate. Texture:             Leathery. Edge: Serrated. Serrations: Single. Petiole:             Color: Green Group 137A. Length: 4.5 cm. Width: 2 mm.             Surface Texture: Smooth with an occasional prickle. Petiole             Rachis: Color: Green Group 137A. Underside: With occasional             prickles. Stipules: Length: 3 cm, hairy. Color: Green Group             137A. Auricle: Shape: Pointed. Length: 8 mm. Width: 1.5 mm.             Color: Green Group 137A. Vein Color: As leaf color Green             Group 137A. Venation Pattern: Net-veined.         -   Wood.—New Wood: Color: Greyed-Red Group 181A. Bark: Smooth.             Old Wood: Color: Green Group 137C. Bark: Smooth.         -   Branching habit.—Number: 8 per main stem. Lateral Branch             Dimensions: Length: 35 cm. Diameter: 4 mm.         -   Stems.—Mature Stem: Length: 80 cm. Diameter: 5 mm. Internode             Distance: 6-8 cm. The above measurements are all variable,             depending on growing conditions in a season. Stem Pubescence             Present: No.         -   Prickles.—Quantity: On main canes from base: Ordinary.             Number per stem length: 10 per 10 cm. On laterals from main             canes: Ordinary. Number per stem length: 8 per 10 cm. Form:             Deep concave. Length: 8 mm. Color when young: Greyed-Red             Group 181A. Color when mature: Greyed-Red Group 182C with             Green Group 138C.         -   Small prickles.—Quantity: Main stalk: None. Laterals: None.         -   Disease resistance.—Mildew: Resistant. Blackspot: Resistant.             Rust: Resistant.         -   Pest resistance.—Not tested.         -   Winter hardiness.—Not tested.         -   Growing conditions.—Normal. 

1. A new and distinct variety of rose plant of the shrub class suitable for repeat flower production, substantially as herein shown and described. 